Waste chute devices and methods for using the same

Abstract

Waste chute devices and methods for using the same are provided. In some embodiments, a method for operating waste chutes comprises: receiving, using a hardware processor of a waste chute device, an identity associated with a user of the waste chute device; in response to receiving the identity associated with the user, allowing, using the hardware processor, a door of the waste chute device to be opened; determining, using the hardware processor, a number of items and at least one type associated with the items that have been placed in an opening of the waste chute device; determining, using the hardware processor, that the door of the waste chute device has been closed; updating, using the hardware processor, information associated with the user based on the number of items and the at least one type of items that have been placed in the opening of the waste chute device; and providing, using the hardware processor, the user with the updated information.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for operating waste chutes is provided, the method comprising:
 allowing a door assembly of the waste chute device to be opened upon confirming an identity of a user; 
 determining, using a hardware processor of the waste chute device, that a plurality of items have been placed in an opening of the waste chute device by the user; 
 receiving, from an imaging device positioned in an interior portion of the waste chute device, an image associated with the plurality of items that have been placed in the waste chute device; 
 determining, using the hardware processor, a type associated with each of the plurality of items that have been placed in the waste chute based on the received image; 
 sorting each of the plurality of items into one of a plurality of containers based on the determined type associated with each of the plurality of items that have been placed in the waste chute; and 
 updating, using the hardware processor, account information associated with the user based on the plurality of sorted items. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identity associated the user includes an identifier corresponding to a dwelling of the user. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising associating with a mobile device of the user, wherein the identity of the user is determined based on the association with the mobile device. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein allowing the door assembly of the waste chute device to be opened comprises transmitting an instruction to an actuator that is connected to the hardware processor of the waste chute device, wherein the instruction causes the actuator to automatically open the door assembly of the waste chute device. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein allowing the door of the waste chute device to be opened comprises transmitting an instruction to an electronic lock that is connected to the hardware processor of the waste chute device, wherein the instruction causes the electronic lock to unlock the door assembly of the waste chute device. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining a number of the plurality of items placed in the waste chute device by (i) receiving a user selection of a number of items via a user interface presented on a display device associated with the waste chute device and (ii) comparing the number of items received via the user interface with the number of items determined from the imaging data. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining a number of the plurality of items placed in the waste chute device by (i) receiving a user selection of a number of items via a user interface presented on a display device associated with the waste chute device, (ii) receiving sensor data from a through-beam sensor that is connected to the hardware processor and that emits a beam within the opening of the waste chute device, and (iii) comparing the number of items received via the user interface with the number of items determined from the sensor data. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the updated account information includes fee information for disposing the plurality of items placed in the waste chute device. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining that an item of the plurality of items placed in the waste chute device is not to be accepted by the waste chute device based on the type associated with the item. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving weight data associated with the plurality of items that have been placed in the waste chute device via a scale connected to the hardware processor; and 
 determining whether the weight data corresponds to a number of items placed in the waste chute device. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of containers includes a compactor that compresses a sorted item from the plurality of items. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the type includes an organic matter type and wherein at least one of the plurality of containers corresponding to the organic matter type includes a digester for composting a sorted item of the organic matter type from the plurality of items. 
     
     
       13. A waste chute device, comprising:
 a chute door on a housing of the waste chute device that, when opened, provides an opening that is connected to a vertical waste chute; and 
 a hardware processor connected to the computing device, wherein the hardware processor is configured to:
 allow the chute door of the waste chute device to be opened upon confirming an identity of a user; 
 determine that a plurality of items have been placed in the opening of the waste chute device by a user; 
 receive, from an imaging device positioned in an interior portion of the housing of the waste chute device, an image associated with the plurality of items that have been placed in the waste chute device; 
 determine a type associated with each of the plurality of items that have been placed in the waste chute based on the received image; 
 sort each of the plurality of items into one of a plurality of containers based on the determined type associated with each of the plurality of items that have been placed in the waste chute; and 
 update account information associated with the user based on the plurality of sorted items. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the identity associated the user includes an identifier corresponding to a dwelling of the user. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the hardware processor is further configured to associate with a mobile device of the user, and wherein the identity of the user is determined based on the association with the mobile device. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the waste chute device further comprises an actuator that is connected to the chute door, and wherein allowing the chute door of the waste chute device to be opened comprises transmitting an instruction to the actuator that automatically opens the chute door of the waste chute device. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the waste chute device further comprises an electronic lock that is connected to the chute door, and wherein allowing the chute door of the waste chute device to be opened comprises transmitting an instruction to an electronic lock that unlocks the chute door of the waste chute device. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the waste chute device further comprises a display device positioned within the housing of the waste chute device, and wherein the hardware processor is further configured to determine a number of the plurality of items placed in the waste chute device by (i) receiving a user selection of a number of items via a user interface presented on the display device associated with the waste chute device and (ii) comparing the number of items received via the user interface with the number of items determined from the imaging data. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the waste chute device further comprises a display device positioned within the housing of the waste chute device, and wherein the hardware processor is further configured to determine a number of the plurality of items placed in the waste chute device by (i) receiving a user selection of a number of items via a user interface presented on the display device associated with the waste chute device, (ii) receiving sensor data from a through-beam sensor that is connected to the hardware processor and that emits a beam within the opening of the waste chute device, and (iii) comparing the number of items received via the user interface with the number of items determined from the sensor data. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the updated account information includes fee information for disposing the plurality of items placed in the waste chute device. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the hardware processor is further configured to determine that an item of the plurality of items placed in the waste chute device is not to be accepted by the waste chute device based on the type associated with the item. 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the waste chute device further comprises a scale that is connected to the hardware processor, and wherein the hardware processor is further configured to:
 receive, from the scale, weight data associated with the plurality of items that have been placed in the waste chute device; and 
 determine whether the weight data corresponds to a number of items placed in the waste chute device. 
 
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the waste chute device further comprises a compactor, and wherein at least one of the plurality of containers includes the compactor that compresses a sorted item from the plurality of items. 
     
     
       24. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the waste chute device includes a digester, wherein the type includes an organic matter type, and wherein at least one of the plurality of containers corresponding to the organic matter type includes the digester for composting a sorted item of the organic matter type from the plurality of items.